Because they never had a “ hit song” in America, the band Wishbone Ash never really became a household name. However, over the decades, their albums from the 1970s like Argus, Pilgrimage and Wishbone Four have over the years built…
Month: February 2024
Ethan Iverson: Technically Acceptable
Pianist Ethan Iverson, on his second Blue Note album since leaving The Bad Plus brings together a pair of trios with Thomas Morgan/b-Kush Abadey/dr and Simon Willson/b-Vinnie Sperrazza/d, both with the leader showing much influence by Thelonious Monk in terms…
Les McCann: The Pacific Jazz Collection
One of the creators of “soul jazz”, pianist Les McCann is found here in his earliest and swingingest days with his trio on the Pacific Jazz label. He hits the ground running with Leroy Vinnegar/b and Ron Jefferson/dr with some…
Yosef Gutman Levitt: The World And Its People
South African born bassist Yosef Gutman Levitt creates a pastoral album of originals with the fragrant team of cellist Yoed Nir, pianist Omri Mor and guitarist Tal Tahalom. The tunes have a chamber feel to them, with soft pizzicato’d plucking…
Francesco Cataldo: Amaranto
Best known for his work on guitar, Francesco Cataldo reflects a different side on acoustic piano, creating a Raphaelesque tapestry of originals on this release. There’s a hint of Debussy on the lily pads of “Prologo” and rich chords that…
Judy Whitmore: Come Fly With Me
Vocalist Judy Whitmore revisits the idea originated by Frank Sinatra in singing about various parts of the world. She’s teamed up with pianist Josh Nelson and jazzers Bob Sheppard/sax, Andy M artin/tb, Hendrik Meurkens/harm and Jacob Scesney/ts as well as…
The Pszenny Project: The Pszenny Project
Playing lead guitar and singing, Mark Pszenny leads a blues rocking team of Sam Hiliard/g-voc, John Bunucci/b-voc and Ross Fleming III/ dr through a collection of originals. Pszenny has a gritty and growling vocal delivery, with the guitar work sounding…
Amanda Gardier: Auteur
Alto saxist Amanda Gardier teams with Dave King/dr, Charlie Ballantine/g and Jesse Wittman/b to create original songs inspired by the films of Wes Anderson. Gardier has a warm tone, soft and floating on the forward pulse of “Let’s Hope It’s…
THIS IS A MODERN JAZZ GUITAR…Joe Pass: The Pacific Jazz Collection
One of the most distinctive and rhapsodic guitars belonged to Joe Pass (1929-94), and while he’s most noted for his solo recordings, his earliest group recordings are just as impressive in his own right. This four disc set puts together…
Alphonso Johnson @ The Grape 02.24.24
Best known for his work with Weather Report and Billy Cobham, bassist Alphonso Johnson kept lit the fusion fuse at Ventura’s best jazz spot, The Grape, with a band that put some fresh wine into old wineskins Teamed with all…